At its core, judgment is simply the establishment of a standard of righteousness. In this way the divine Judge establishes righteousness upon the earth: “When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9, niv). And God will ultimately be vindicated in his gubernatorial role, for “he has established his throne for judgment” (Ps. 9:7, csb). The Psalms are replete with similar declarations: “He will judge the world with righteousness” (Ps. 98:9); “He will judge the peoples with equity” (Ps. 96:10); “He will execute judgment among the nations” (Ps. 110:6), “for he comes to judge the earth” (Ps. 96:13)—leading to the cry, “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!” (Ps. 82:8). Thus, projecting eschatologically, Isaiah declares: “The Lord will execute judgment on all people with his fiery sword” (Isa. 66:16, csb). - John P. Harrigan